Archie Thompson admits he called Holger Osieck to query his Socceroos omission

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A gutted Archie Thompson concedes he called Holger Osieck to ask why he was snubbed for the Socceroos upcoming friendlies against France and Canada.

But the Melbourne Victory attacker concedes being available for Saturday’s round 1 derby at Etihad Stadium helped him get over his omission.

With Osieck’s job on the line his task has just got a lot harder with attacking midfielders Brett Holman (quad) and Tom Rogic (groin) ruled out of the games through injury.

Osieck was roundly blasted for using Thompson _ a veteran and regular impact player during the qualifiers _ as his first sub after Australia had conceded a fourth against Brazil while lesser used types like Tom Rogic and James Holland were overlooked.

But Thompson is confident he remains in the frame for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Archie ThompsonSource:News Limited

"I was a bit disappointed so I actually actually gave Holger a call because I wanted to know if there was something I was doing wrong or needed improving because I felt that every time I’ve come onto the pitch I’ve effected it and changed it the way he wanted,’’ Thompson said.

"He just said the guys are doing really well, they’re scoring and I need to see these players because there’s not many games left.

"He also said I’ve had this interrupted off-season and this gives me a chance to play some matches and get some proper game time in before future camps.

"So I can take solace in that and it’s good that I’m still in the mix but I’ve got to prove myself like everything else and I can’t take things for granted and now I’ve got an opportunity to play Heart.

"I was disappointed in a way but I knew that was the reason behind it and you’ve got to accept that because you’ve got to give opportunities to people wherever they’re playing.

"Ruka (Nikita Rukavytsya) has gone to the second division and scored and so has (Matthew) Leckie so you’ve got to give these guys opportunities.

"The flipside is that you get to play in front of 45,000 in one of the real rivalries of the A-League.’’Thompson, who has missed large chunks of pre-season due to the Socceroos’ East-Asian Cup commitments and the Brazil game in September, admits his fitness is not where it should be.

"It’s good that I’m getting gametime for a change, I’m starting to feel fit again,’’ he said.

Brett HolmanSource:Getty Images

"We’ve had camps with five, six, eight players and trying to get fitness for tournaments against countries who are in season and against Brazil the preparation wasn’t great.’’

That Thompson will start in Saturday’s derby is a given, where he will play is less certain.

He’s played both through centrally and on the wings in pre-season and with Kosta Barbarouses away on New Zealand duty, he could start wide right.

"I don’t know. The good thing is I can play in the middle or out wide, so that gives me four positions I can play in,’’ Thompson said.

Nikita RukaSource:AFP

"But we’ve got good players for all those positions and it’s going to be a battle this season which is good because it brings out the best in me and the boys and everyone’s competing.

"I’m probably enjoying my football more now in the latter part of my career than the earlier days and that’s what’s helped me be consistent for the last few years.’’